Drew Cockton, a former contestant on Dragons' Den has died, just one year on from securing an investment from the Dragons.
The 36 year old appeared on the show in 2021 when he presented his scented candle business, Owen Drew, and secured a £50,000 investment from Touker Suleyman.
However, just one year on from the life changing investment, the star has sadly passed away, his mother announced on Sunday 23 October.
Paying tribute to her son, the grieving mother wrote on facebook: "We are truly, utterly heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Drew Peter George Cockton (my gorgeous boy) died peacefully at home yesterday. We are devastated beyond belief. Life is never, ever going to be the same again. Rest Peacefully darling boy".
Shortly after the initial announcement was made, Drew’s partner Ryan Gunn also paid tribute to his late ex, as he shared a photo of the two of them together on Facebook.
Immediately following the news, messages of condolences flooded in for the family, as they mourned the loss of such a young and talented life.
“All my love to you Kate Drew and your family. I am so sorry to hear this devastating news. Drew was an inspiration to so many. May he rest in peace,” wrote one commenter.
While another added: “Omg I am so dreadfully sorry to have read this. Sending you all our love and deepest Sympathy. Shocked”.
A third also paid tribute to Drew, as they added: “To say I am Devastated is an under statement, Drew you are the most beautiful star in the sky tonight, RIP beautiful boy ,will never forget you and your beautiful heart and soul.”
Drew first sprang to worldwide attention last year, after his scented candle business wowed the Dragons – and audiences at home with his impressive designs.
Reflecting on his journey to success, Drew previously told the Dragons how at the tender of age of 22, he left behind a stable job in financial services to open a hotel business on Canal Street, in central Manchester.
On the show, he explained: "I was totally inexperienced. I was working so hard that I actually made myself quite ill and had a breakdown.”
However, it was that business which set him up to continue with his true passion, candle making – with Drew having previously cornered a very niche market with his luxury candles, with the products even having attracted royal attention in the past.
For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding back in 2018, Drew created the world’s most expensive candle in their honour, after details of Meghan’s floral arrangements were revealed to the public.
Recreating the scent in candle form, the product retailed for a whopping £750 and included some of the most expensive oils and perfumes available in the world.
Appearing on Dragons' Den in 2021, three of the four Dragons pulled out of any investment after being unconvinced by Drew’s sales pitch, however Touker Suleyman was willing to take a chance on the young entrepreneur as he revealed he had actually been looking into candles with his own brands already.
Touker told Drew: "I own a brand called Ghost and we're looking to get into candles.
"You want somebody to bring you [into] Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols – we've got access.
"I'm willing to make you an offer. I'll give you all of the £50,000 but I want 30 per cent."
The duo hashed out the finer points of the deal then, with the investor promising to help grow the brand thanks to his existing connections.
Touker then offered: "My offer would be to give you £50,000 for 30 per cent, when I get my money back within 18 months, then 25 per cent."
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